Feds Announce Another First Nations School

It took five years, but Pikangikum is going to get a new school. Today Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan announced the federal government would be building a new school. He says at this point they don't know how much the school might cost since the tenders have not gone out yet. In July 2007, the only school in the community burned to the ground.  Yesterday Duncan announced a new school would be built in Fort Severn

No Changes For Eye On The Street: Admin

City Council gets it's yearly update Monday on the Eye on the Street video surveillance program. Administration is recommending no changes and you'll get no argument from Councillor Brian McKinnon who supports the program 100 per cent because he say it works. McKinnon says in the future he'd like to see more surveillance cameras

Happy Anniversary FedNor

FedNor is celebrating. The economic development funding initiative specific to northern Ontario was established 25 years ago. Minister Tony Clement says FedNor has played an important role as a catalyst for development and growth in the region.

Sioux Lookout Fire Bug

Sioux Lookout O.P.P. are investigating a possible fire bug. Provincial Police were called to a residence yesterday and met up with the Fire Service to put out a fire. Damages to the home were undetermined but police say people were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire. O.P.P. say they are looking into a rash of fires in the recent months and are appealing to the public for help with any information. 

Pikangikum Braces For Education Announcement

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, John Duncan is expected to make an announcement related to First Nation education today. Minister Duncan will be joined by Pikangikum Chief Peter Quill at the local community centre. Yesterday John Duncan announced a new elementary school would be built in Fort Severn First Nation. The announcement is expected to be made just after 1:00 O'Clock today.

Mauro To Hebert..Don't Be An Alarmist

There's controversy between two local politicians surrounding Ontario Power Generation's plans to convert it's Mission Island power station to natural gas.  Councillor Larry Hebert is warning of rolling blackouts if a power purchase agreement can't be reached with the OPG and the Ontario Power Authority, but MPP Bill Mauro doesn't agree. He says it's all part of the negotiating process and tells the councillor not be be an alarmist.  Hebert's comments follow news that purchase agreement talks between the OPG and and Power Authority have stalled.

West Nile Not A Threat In The North

Despite high numbers of reported cases of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in southern Ontario, we appear to be quite safe here in the North. Entimologist, Dr. Ken Deacon says there have been no positive tests on mosquitoes trapped here so far. Apparently even higher temperatures than what we've experienced for it to be a legitimate threat.

Swimming Advisory..On Again

Just in time for the weekend comes news of a swimming advisory for the Main Beach at Boulevard Lake.  The Health Unit says it's due to high bacteria levels.   Meantime the advisory for the Main Beach at Chippewa Park remains in effect.  

Local Jobless Rate Up

The latest Government figures show  unemployment was up in the city last month.   Statistics Canada says the jobless rate in Thunder Bay for July was 6.1 per cent.  That's up from 5.7 per cent the month before.  

Thunder Bay All-Stars Lose Canadian Championship

There will be no Junior Little League World Series for the Thunder Bay All-Stars. They were beaten 14-2 in 5-innings by Alberta in yesterday's Canadian final in Lethbridge, Alberta. The All-Stars allowed 5 runs in the top of the first and were unable to recover. The team was playing for a spot at the world's in Taylor, Michigan.

Border Cats Eliminated From Playoffs

The Thunder Bay Border Cats will now try and play the roll of spoiler in their last regular season home game of the 2012 season tonight. The Border Cats were officially eliminated from playoff contention after suffering an 11-4 loss at the hands of the Duluth Huskies last night. The series finale goes tonight at 7:05 p.m.at Subway field.